Tumanduumband - Hail Satan, Triumph Awaits (Album Review)

Release Date: August 29th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Hail Satan, Triumph Awaits - Tracklisting

1.Consulting The Haruspex 11:02

2.Alive In Death 07:03

3.Hail Satan, Triumph Awaits 18:34

Members

Luke Duum - Drums

Scott Cooper - Bass

Review.

Doom/Sludge Metallers Tumanduumband return with their latest album Hail Satan, Triumph Awaits which is another lo-fi, miserable and minimalist sounding adventure full of DRONE textures, creepy soundbytes and a SHIT TON of down-tuned misery for the underground masses. This time round Tumanduumband taps into the bleak early sounds of ELECTRIC WIZARD and matches a lo-fi aesthetic where the whole journey is more SPACED OUT with fully formed storylines being told through their excellent use of sound clips and creepy sound effects.

Hail Satan, Triumph Awaits is a worthy follow up to their 2023 debut album with Tumanduumband playing longer strands of music across three epic tracks with two of those running over at eleven minutes and eighteen minutes. The minimal style of emotionally charged melodies remind me of FALL OF EFRAFA at times with Tumanduumband exploring multiple different areas of Drone and Post-Black Metal whilst continuing to develop their main Doom/Sludge Metal approach to the album.

The three tracks on offer here have different levels of heaviness warped in bleak mystery and misery with Tumanduumband creating challenging pieces of music to listen to. The album is wholly instrumental with the reliance of sound clips to tell an intriguing story full of classic OCCULT HORROR themes which come across brilliantly well on Consulting The Haruspex and Alive In Death perhaps being the most theatrical and dramatic of the whole album.

You can picture Tumanduumband playing the whole album in full within a small, compact and gloomy live venue with scenes of classic horror movies being projected against a small screen. Yeah, tons of bands have done that over the years but Tumanduumband have managed to capture that eerie vibe throughout this stunning album.

The harsh DRONE textures and groove orientated Doom/Sludge passages sets the stage for an exciting finale within the standout final track Hail Satan, Triumph Awaits where Tumanduumband demonstrates a more heavier and highly atmospheric style of down-tuned aggression that also has a sense of filth and decay building up behind the amps to fully consume your souls with.

Hail Satan, Triumph Awaits is another superb record from Tumanduumband that sees them deliver a much better record to their debut album which I’m a huge fan of. This feels more fully fleshed out with a much better creepier narrative that sells the whole dark and twisted vision that Tumanduumband have ultimately excelled themselves with.

Words by Steve Howe

 

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Modder - Destroying Ourselves For A Place In The Sun (Album Review)

Release Date: October 03rd 2025. Record Label: Consouling Sounds / Lay Bare Recordings . Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Destroying Ourselves For A Place In The Sun - Tracklisting

1.Stone Eternal

2.Mather 

3.Type 27

4.Mutant Body Double

5.Chaoism

6.In The Sun

Members

Mathlovsky

Gregory Simons

Maurice van der Es

Simon Felix

Jamal Talibi

Review.

Instrumental Doom/Sludge Metallers MODDER destroyed my whole world with their epic 2023 album The Great Liberation Through Hearing which became my favourite instrumental album of that year. I’m pleased to say the band may have achieved that honour again with their brutally heavy and groove addicted masterpiece that is Destroying Ourselves For A Place In The Sun. This album follows the same destructive path as that album but gives it more Grind, Industrial and Electronic based charges with impressive technical melodies being added for a different kind of sound as well.

Destroying Ourselves For A Place In The Sun doesn’t follow a simple creative linear with MODDER deconstructing their own musical legacy that they’ve built with their last two albums and then reshaping into something wholly different with a more primal attitude delving into harsh SONIC outbursts of EXTREME metal at times.

This sound is already fully formed and primed to explode within the stunning opening track Stone Eternal where MODDER welcomes the listener into their superbly horrifying world with dark Sludge Metal melodies and harsh Industrial landscapes. The sudden emergence of Psych, Cosmic and Electronica beats just pushes the whole Grind/Thrash attitude of MODDER’s sound into something groundbreaking and original within its own right.

Second track Mather continues with that aggressive and melodic style of music that could easily have appeared on their previous album. The sudden Thrash/Grind/Groove Metal beats pushes the Doom/Sludge Metal narrative into the background at times but this is still absolutely thrilling to experience with MODDER embracing a nightmarish style of Industrial Metal before embracing their Psych/Doom/Sludge Metal heritage. The sound is more direct here with pounding instrumental passages feeling like you’re being hit over the head with Thor’s legendary hammer MJONHIR. 

The highly collective use of Ambient sounds and Electronic glitches makes a welcome return from the last MODDER record but with a haunting Post-Rock energy holding everything together before MODDER explodes into violent musical one upmanship against each other. There are times where you think each individual band member is battling each other for musical domination and creative supremacy but still having that sublime “WORKING TOGETHER” momentum fully fleshed out at the same time.

Third track Type 27 allows MODDER to enter a world of Mastodon based Post-Doom/Post-Sludge passages before “KICKING OFF” yet again with another foray into complex metal breakdowns with a thrilling Progressive Sludge Metal narrative forming. The sound is equally vibrant and brutally dark with MODDER performing one of the most technically accomplished sounds I’ve heard from them. The haunting Post-Rock melodies offer a brief sense of humanity and emotion to MODDER’s core but that’s soon wrapped away with a daring style of Progressive Stoner Metal rhythms that once again sees the band redefine their sound and we’re just only half way through the album.

The second half of the album is equally brutal, weird, hypnotic and brilliantly original as the first half with MODDER exploring their more Primal side on tracks Mutant Body Double and In The Sun. The music becomes a bit more experimental but MODDER never loses sight of what made them such a great band in the first place. However, it’s the most unexpected quieter moments that appear within the heavier parts of the album that make Destroying Ourselves For A Place In The Sun such a soulful and beautiful record to listen to.

Destroying Ourselves For A Place In The Sun is without doubt the best instrumental album of the year with MODDER showcasing highly original sounds of their very own making. MODDER are perhaps becoming my favourite Instrumental Metal band which is down to their unique musical perspective and breaking new ground in delivering new styles of extreme heaviness to the genre but still remaining completely TRUE to the absolute scene as well.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Viral Propaganda PR for the promo.

Destroying Ourselves For A Place In The Sun is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl from the links below:

Consouling Sounds

Lay Bare Recordings

 

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

MOURN THE LIGHT Announce New Album Sorrow Feeds the Silence + Reveal First Single “The Fading Light”

Argonauta Records is proud to announce the return of Connecticut heavy metal force MOURN THE LIGHT with their highly anticipated sophomore album Sorrow Feeds the Silence, due out November 14th on Deluxe Colored Vinyl, CD and Digital formats.

The album spans 9 tracks across 52 minutes, delivering a powerful blend of doom, power and traditional heavy metal, enriched by progressive elements and the band’s signature emotional depth. Mixed and mastered by Jack Kosto (Seven Spires) and featuring stunning cover art by John Gianelli (Haunt), Sorrow Feeds the Silence stands as Mourn the Light’s boldest and most dynamic work to date.

To mark the announcement, the band has unveiled the first single “The Fading Light”, now streaming on YouTube: 

“The Fading Light was the first song written for the new album and it's about how life can defeat you at times, leaving you questioning everything.”

Formed in Connecticut, Mourn the Light first rose to international attention with their 2021 debut Suffer, Then We’re Gone (Argonauta Records), a critically acclaimed release followed by the praised EPs Stare into the Face of Death and The Magic is Calling. Their latest chapter introduced fans to new vocalist Andy Small (Spellmaster, Olyphant), bringing fresh intensity to the band’s evolving sound.

With Sorrow Feeds the Silence, Mourn the Light push beyond their traditional doom foundations, embracing heavy and classic metal influences while exploring more progressive territories.

“Sorrow Feeds the Silence is a full-length album that carries on in our tradition of singing about life’s struggles and connecting with everyone who feels the same way. We are all human with different stories, but we share the pain that comes with all of it.”

Mourn the Light have built a strong reputation through extensive touring in the US and Canada, leaving their mark on festivals such as Stormbringer Metal Festival, Legions of Metal, New England Stoner and Doom Metal Festival, SXSW Stoner Jam ’19, and sharing the stage with iconic acts including Anvil, Artillery, Haunt, Seven Sisters, Satan, Liege Lord, Cloven Hoof, Lich King and more.

Sorrow Feeds the Silence Tracklist:

1. Empty and Hollow
2. The Truth (Was a Lie)
3. The Fading Light
4. Doomed to Fall Forever
5. Sorrow Feeds the Silence
6. In the Shadows (CD Bonus Track)
7. When Dreams Die
8. We Don’t Belong (feat. Stephanie Lussier)
9. Forever Hollow

Stay tuned for pre-order details coming soon!

For more info:

https://linktr.ee/MournTheLight
https://www.argonautarecords.com/

Thanks to Grand Sounds Promotion for the details.

GOATMILKER - GOATMILKER (Album Review)

Release Date: September 16th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

GOATMILKER - Tracklisting

Mission Log 1601

Devils On My Tail

Drawing Near

Tearing Apart

Black Grass

Mountains

Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)

Storm

Members

Lars Godal – Guitar

Mathias Lieberknecht– Bass/Vocals

Petter Ramberg – Drums

Vegard Lindtveit – Guitar/Lead Vocals

Review.

GOATMILKER’s self-titled debut album is an interesting mix of Doom, Sludge, Stoner and Prog Metal that’s topped off with a level of Psychedelic weirdness that leads into some unexpected chaos along the way. The band are inspired by the likes of Mastodon, Black Sabbath, Cave In, Kvelertak and Slayer in which the listener is treated to within certain aspects throughout the album. 

You have to admire the band’s dedication of not playing safe at all with the different style of Rock and Metal that GOATMILKER have at their disposal. Even the vocals from lead vocalist Vegard Lindtveit can be quite operatic and way over the top but all done in the best possible way. You’re treated to a whole sense of creative madness and warped melodies on the excellent opening track Mission Log 1601. 

The song delves into full on Prog Metal territory before interacting with other HEAVY ROCK genres for a sound that’s quite complex and technical from the start. Imagine Cave In jamming with Mastodon before going absolutely bat-shit MATHCORE crazy and then settling on a dynamic Sludge Rock sound. GOATMILKER continues with that style of music for the remainder of the album but still adding different ideas, grooves and flashy instrumental passages to keep everything surreal that only adds to the magic of the whole album.

The second track Devils On My Tail offers a more dramatic flair with GOATMILKER perhaps being a bit subdued compared to the opening track. As this allows the band to push the creative envelope even further with jagged rhythms and progressive melodies having a certain JAZZ based approach to them. Fans of Between The Buried And Me may recognise certain musical structures here and there but GOATMILKER are always thinking ahead of how to put their own identity into the record which they do to great effect.

GOATMILKER then really go way over the top on tracks such as Tearing Apart, Black Glass, Mountains and Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) with the band fully leaning into a heavier and fantastical style of HEAVY METAL with elements of Thrash, Speed Metal and Groove Metal dominate the musical landscape.

However, the music is so damn catchy and highly addictive which is where I can definitely see the KVELERTAK influence finally starting to emerge. The lyrics are great for the most part but with perhaps a few instances where they don’t match the atmosphere of the intense fast paced grooves.

This is most definitely an EXPERIMENTAL record with GOATMILKER throwing everything into a melting pot with flashes of classic TWIN GUITARS based action making an appearance. This record manages to perfectly capture the more offbeat side of HEAVY METAL from almost every sub-genre possible but giving it a modern day Sludge/Stoner Metal twist.

I will admit it did take me a few listens to fully appreciate the record as it goes into many different directions with each individual song. However, it’s GOATMILKER’s highly engaging vocal performances and bloody sheer determination to play through as many as different genres possible that make this record such a resounding success.

The whole of GOATMILKER deserve credit as they bring their “A” game to this album which makes this an offbeat and brilliantly surreal record that’s full of absolute bangers from start to finish.

This is a must have record. Add it to your collection. You won’t be sorry!!!

Words by Steve Howe

You can buy the album here - https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/goatmilker/goatmilker

 

Links

Facebook | Instagram

The Dukes Of Hades - Oracle Of The Dead (EP Review)

Release Date: August 29th 2025. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Oracle Of The Dead  - Tracklisting

1.Seeds Of Oblivion 05:09

2.Last Rites 03:44

3.Pigs 05:14

4.Constant Grief 04:02

5.Tomahawk 08:00

6.Death Defying Heights 02:52

Members

Gareth Brunsdon - Drums,

Steve Lynch - Sub Octave Guitar/Vocals

Review.

Oracle Of The Dead is the debut EP from Sludge/Stoner Metallers The Dukes Of Hades that featuresGareth Brunsdon (Eternal - pre Electric Wizard), Spirmyard, Sludgefeast) and Steve Lynch (The Electric Shakes, Teaspoonriverneck, Burg & The Vagabond Choir) performing a heavy FUZZED up duo with subtle distorted overtones dictating the melodies and subtle grooves that appear throughout the EP. Helping along their creative journey is Sam Grant (PIGS X7) who helped with studio engineering duties.

This EP is influenced by the 90’s early Sludge and Stoner Metal scenes with aspects of Death ‘N’ Roll appearing in the background. The low & slow attitude of the band really comes to life very early on with influences wide across the musical globe appearing that allows The Dukes Of Hades to have a vibrant, brash, aggressive and wholly addictive sound that should appeal to fans of Electric Wizard, SOURVIEN, WEEDEATER and BONGZILLA. Add the likes of FU MANCHU and KYUSS then Oracle Of The Dead is full of subtle extended sludgy melodies and cool vocals delivered by Steve Lynch.

The six tracks that make up the EP captures the gritty undertone of the UK Sludge/Stoner Metal scene with the fast-paced aspects of the Swedish Doom Metal scene in certain aspects on tracks such as Seeds Of Oblivion, Pigs, Constant Grief and Tomahawk. The Dukes of Hades add a twinge of Blues Metal in different parts of the EP which gives the record a faster and heavier sound that makes you feel there are more members in the band other than Gareth and Steve. 

With a no-nonsense vibe to the production values, Oracle Of The Dead is quite a stacked EP with plenty of different Sludge/Stoner melodic passages which taps right into the classic UNDERGROUND vibe especially within the quieter parts of the EP. This allows The Dukes Of Hades to play a more intriguing style of music with perhaps Pigs and Tomahawk being the standout tracks on the EP.

You can easily see The Dukes Of Hades playing some cool musical festivals such as Desertfest and Stoomfest and whipping the audience into a frenzied state which is the whole vibe of the EP which does remind me of Orange Goblin back in the day.

Oracle Of The Dead is superbly entertaining that lasts under thirty minutes and ultimately leaves you wanting to hear more. The Dukes Of Hades have delivered a high amount of great riffs and sounds in such a compact release that I can’t recommend this EP highly enough. Do yourself a favour and check this great band out now. You won’t regret it!!!

Words by Steve Howe

 

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Greenhead - Subherbia (Album Review)

Release Date: August 29th 2025. Record Label:  Self Released. Formats: DD

Subherbia - Tracklisting

1.Subherbia 28:39

2.Indigo 06:59

3.All-Seeing Eye 03:32

4.Nature's Pyramid 05:57

5.Purple God 07:47

Members

Nick Groves - Guitar/Vocals

Ian Andrew - Drums/Vocals

Alex Dixon - Bass/Vocals

Review

Subheriba is the debut album Psych/Doom/Stoner Metallers Greenhead and they play a style of music they call “Stonecore” as they include elements of Punk, Sludge and Hardcore into their highly trippy blend of WEEDIAN METAL. Greenhead are quite bold by starting their album with the epic title track running for over twenty minutes in length. This is a creative choice that pays off big time as Greenhead play an astonishing array of trippy grooves and intense melodies that allows Nick Groves (Guitar/Vocals), Ian Andrew (Drums/Vocals) and Alex Dixon (Bass/Vocals) to fully show off their superb musical talents throughout.

Greenhead demonstrates areas of Thrash, Speed and Post-Metal in their music which appears within the first half of the standout title track. The track shows how Greenherd tackle Prog rock passages and Ambient Rock surroundings which is helped along by elements of expressive free-form Jam Rock for the most part. Though expect touches of bands such as CAVE IN, PRIMUS, The Melvis, Mastodon and Mutoid Man to appear within this wicked style of WARPED STONER based madness. 

Greenhead focus on playing more riff-centric fare for the remaining tracks on the album but still keeping with their out of control “CREATIVE” outlook on tracks such as Indigo, All Seeing Eye, Nature’s Pyramid and Purple God. The highly volatile style and utmost reliance of Experimental Stoner Metal sounds might be too jarring for some but it does allow Greenhead to have an unsettling quality and unpredictable edge to their music. 

However, the album is never boring and brilliantly thrives on its highly unpredictable and unforgiving nature which sees the band have quite a SCHIZOPHRENIC identity at times which is one of the best parts of the record as you never know what to expect next. 

Subherbia isn’t going to be for everyone but if you’re on the lookout for a band with a unique voice who aren’t afraid to take HUGE creative risks with their music then Greenhead are the band for you. There’s a ton of great instrumental solos which fully embraces the “PARANOID” style of Stoner Metal which should delight fans of Philip K. Dick as well. I know that’s a bold statement to make but wait until you hear the whole album in full and make your own conclusions.

My own verdict is that Subherbia is not perfect by any means but it’s the Psychedelic and Warped journey the record takes you upon where you’re treated to a wholly original style of Stoner Metal to pulverize your senses with.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

 

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Coltaine - Brandung (Album Review)

Release Date: September 05th 2025. Record Label: Lay Bare Recordings. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Brandung - Tracklisting

1.Tiefe Wasser 01:51

2.Memories Of Ice 04:38

3.Keep Me Down In The Deep 05:50

4.Black Coral 02:06

5.Wirbelwind 02:14

6.Above The Burning Sand 06:04

7.Maelstrom 03:06

8.Brandung 07:43

9.Solar Veil 02:46

Members

Julia Frasch - vocals, percussion

Moritz Berg - guitar

Benedikt Berg - bass, cello, percussion

Amin Bouzeghaia - drums

& additional guitar on Black Coral,

Wirbelwind, Brandung, and Solar Vein

Review

Coltaine are back with their latest offering Brandung and whilst the songs maybe shorter than the ones held on their previous release that doesn’t mean Coltaine are cutting corners with the emotionally charged grooves they’ve made their name with. Far from it. As Brandung is an emotionally charged release that transcends multiple genres, themes, sounds and delicate ambient passages for a record that’s musically complex but also emotionally rewarding throughout.

Coltaine are perhaps defined as a Post-Doom/Post-Metal collective with flashes of Black Metal, Psych Rock. Post-Rock, Drone and Orchestral sounds for a bold, grand and musical statement that has influences such as Chelsea Wolfe, Wolves In The Throne Room, Godspeed You Black Emperor helping their creative cause.

The music is stripped back to its rightly cold hearted score which is also helped by the excellent recording duties and production values contained on the record. I was quite surprised to see my Jan Oberg (EARTH SHIP and GRIN) on mixing and mastering duties on this album. He pulls out all the stops as usual making Coltaine sound absolutely unique with a fresh spin on the whole Post-Doom/Blackened Post-Metal sound. Credit must also go to recording engineers Gregor Rieth & Amin Bouzeghaia as well. So production values get a major THUMBS UP from me.

Now back to the actual album itself with Brandung being quite a highly original style of evolving Post-Metal sounds with that ice-cold Blackened Metal drive with Julia Frasch’s vocals being beautiful, dynamic, aggressive and quite destructive within the heavier moments especially on tracks such as Memories Of Ice, Keep Me Down In The Deep, Above The Burning Sand and Brandung.

The album itself feels like one lengthy song broken down into individual chapters with each offering haunting melodies, ice-cold lyrics and captivating storylines to show how Coltaine have evolved brilliantly ever since their inception back in 2022 though some members were part of the much missed WITCHFUCKER. The excellent use of different musical instruments adds a sublime ETHEREAL vibe that appears within the shorter tracks of Tiefe Wasser, Black Coral and Wirbelwind.

The shorter tracks are perhaps the most dominated by Orchestral and Post-Rock movements which adds a sense of CINEMATIC sounds to the whole album. Though, Coltaine does add “extra” spice to the mix within the shorter tracks with outbursts of Julia’s intense screams and sudden shift into Psychedelic paranoia laced with Post-Black Metal intrigue. 

Brandung is a richly observed and emotionally charged album with Coltaine breathing new life into the whole Post-Doom scene with complex rhythms, vocal harmonies and epic Post-Metal soundscapes combining for one of the most intense and beautifully realized records you’ll hear this year.

Words by Steve Howe

 

Thanks to Coltaine and All Noir PR for the promo.

Brandung is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Lay Bare Recorrdings.

Links

Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram